The Minnesota Twins' 5 Most Criticized Players of Spring Training

The Minnesota Twins' 5 Most Criticized Players of Spring Training

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Coming off three consecutive seasons with fewer than 67 wins, the Minnesota Twins are getting used to criticism. Minnesota was extremely busy this offseason, but not every 2014 Twin will be a new addition. Several past under-performers will hope to earn a roster spot in Spring Training. Some need more help than others, and some may need to look for a place to hide soon.

Here are the five most criticized Twins so far in Spring Training.

5. Aaron Hicks

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5. Aaron Hicks

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After an outstanding spring in 2013, Aaron Hicks was rushed into the starting center field and leadoff spot for the Twins last season. Flashing his speed and glove at times, Hicks was a huge disappointment to Twins fans with a .192/.259/.338 line. If Hicks makes Minnesota's 25-man roster, it will come in stride with plenty of judgmental glances thrown his way. So far this spring he's put up a .292/.292/.500 line.

4. Scott Diamond

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4. Scott Diamond

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Minnesota's ace two years ago, Scott Diamond regressed to an unimpressive 2013 where he was 6-13 with a 5.43 ERA. Now out of minor league options, Diamond's 2014 roster chances could rest on his performance this spring. The 27-year-old lefty hasn't made much of a case for himself yet this preseason, carrying a 5.59 ERA, 2.07 WHIP, 6.5 BB/9 and a .333 opponents' batting average.

3. Mike Pelfrey

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3. Mike Pelfrey

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Despite going 5-13 with a 5.19 ERA in 2013, Mike Pelfrey was re-signed to a two-year deal this offseason that even presented a pay raise. After his signing, Bronson Arroyo, Ervin Santana and Paul Maholm were all locked up to similar, short-term deals. Pelfrey has been solid so far this spring with a 2.53 ERA over 10.2 Innings, but he will need to carry that success well into the regular season if he hopes to make fans forget what could have been.

2. Chris Parmelee

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2. Chris Parmelee

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In 21 games during a late 2011 call-up, Chris Parmelee produced a .355/.443/.592 line with four home runs and 14 RBI. In 165 games since then, Parmelee carries a .228/.302/.364 line with a 133 strikeouts. The 26-year-old outfielder is now out of minor league options and needs to step up his game in 2014. Due to the Twins' abundance of outfielders and Byron Buxton looming in the minors, the walls could soon close in on Parmelee's career.

1. Vance Worley

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1. Vance Worley

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The image of Vance Worley sporting a Twins jersey only exists because the club agreed to trade lovable and speedy center field prospect Ben Revere to Philadelphia last offseason. In 2013, Worley was 1-5 for Minnesota with a 7.21 ERA and 1.99 WHIP in just 48.2 Innings. Also out of minor league options, Worley continues to dig a hole for himself this spring. In eight preseason innings, he's carrying a 10.13 ERA.